R2. Telewellness Technologies

R2. Scale-Up Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Telewellness Program

Co-Principal Investigators

Tracy Mitzner, Ph.D.

Elena Remillard, M.S

Team Members: Valerie Duke, Kara Mumma, B.S/B.A., Laura Rice, Ph.D., MPT, ATP

Students: Jelovy Djaja & Yan Tian, B.S.

Partners: Tai Chi for Health Institute

People aging with mobility disabilities experience barriers to participating in exercise classes, including lack of transportation, inaccessible buildings, and lack of appropriate modifications. This population is also at risk of social isolation. Over 10 years, our team has been exploring how videoconferencing software can expand access to group wellness programs. In the Tele Tai Chi study, we translated an in-person, evidence-based tai chi program to be a small-group class delivered via Zoom that is both socially engaging and accessible to adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. We are now deploying the program in community settings. Working directly with our partners (e.g., senior centers, senior living communities), we will develop, deploy, and evaluate tailored programs designed to meet their unique needs and preferences. By developing comprehensive supports (e.g., materials, toolkits), we aim to expand access to evidence-based wellness programs and empower adults aging with mobility disabilities to lead more active and socially connected lives.

Current Activities

  • We are analyzing data from our Tele Tai Chi clinical trial with adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities and are preparing to publish our findings. Stay tuned!
  • We are interviewing subject matter experts who have experience coordinating wellness programs with older adults in a community-based setting, such as senior centers. We want to learn about their experiences and engage in discussion about what it would look like to offer a telewellness class in their community.

Select Publications

  • Mitzner, T.L., Remillard, E.T.; Mumma, K.T. (2022). Research-Driven Guidelines for Delivering Group Exercise Programs via Videoconferencing to Older Adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19, 7562. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137562  
  • Beer, J. M., Mackin, T., Mois, G., Koon, L., Datta, A., Rogers, W. A., & Mitzner, T. L. (2021). User attitudes and implementation requirements of a tele-exercise intervention for people aging with lower body mobility impairment, Gerontechnology, 20(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2021.20.2.6.429.09  
  • Mitzner, T. L., Stuck R., Hartley, J. Q., Beer, J. M., & Rogers, W. A. (2017). Acceptance of televideo technology by adults aging with a mobility impairment for health and wellness interventions. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 4, 1-12. 10.1177/2055668317692755

Project Alumni

  • Grace Cha, M.ID.
  • Lawrence Chan, MS-HCI
  • Jordan Chen, M.S.
  • Lelah Cochran, B.S.
  • Tanvi Dange
  • Saisamhitha Dasari
  • Lucile Dupuy, Ph.D.
  • Christina Harrington, Ph.D.
  • Jordan Hartley, B.S.
  • Nida Javaid, B.S.
  • Laura Matalenas, Ph.D.
  • Sean McGlynn, Ph.D.
  • Alexis Pineda, B.S.
  • Ritika Sadalge, B.S.
  • Kaitlyn Shinault, B.S.
  • Rachel Stuck, M.S.
  • Eileen Yang
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